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thanThe 2017 NFL Playoffs continue this weekend with the Divisional Round. Clearly the rooting interests for Denver Broncos fans fall with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans, both of whom will be on the road this week.
Here is everything you’ll need to know to follow this weekend’s Divisional Round action:
No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (11-5-1) at No. 2 Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
When: Saturday, January 14, 2017
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: FOX
Game Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Line: Falcons -5
Prediction: Last week, all of the home teams won and advanced to the next round. That’s not happening this week. The Falcons are in the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and possess the NFL’s hottest offense. On the other side, the Seahawks might be one of the most dangerous playoff teams still alive. I picked the Broncos in Super Bowl 48 when it was offense versus defense, so I’m not going to make that mistake again here. Seahawks 31, Falcons 28.
No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7) at No. 1 New England Patriots (14-2)
When: Saturday, January 14, 2017
Where: Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV: CBS
Game Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Line: Patriots -15.5
Prediction: This spread is embarrassing. But probably accurate. Brock Osweiler would need to pull off another incredible game like he had last week or the one he had against the Patriots in 2015. I just don’t think that will happen. Tom Brady will need to be pressured like he was in the AFC Championship game last year for that happen and this Texans defense is not on that same level as the Broncos defense of 2015. Patriots 27, Texans 10.
No. 4 Green Bay Packers (12-5) at No. 1 Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
When: Sunday, January 15, 2017
Where: Jerry’s World, Dallas, Texas
TV: FOX
Game Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
Line: Cowboys -4
Prediction: How does one pick against a guy like Aaron Rodgers who has been obliterating defenses for eight straight games now? Easy, you pit him against an team whose offensive line and running back has been obliterating defenses for sixteen straight games. This is going to be a good game as I think Dak Prescott will struggle, but the Cowboys will ride Ezekiel Elliot to the victory. Cowboys 24, Packers 20.
No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
When: Sunday, January 15, 2017
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: NBC
Game Time: 8:20 p.m. ET (game time was moved due to a storm/public safety concerns)
Line: Chiefs -1
Prediction: This is the fourth time the Chiefs have earned a first round bye since 1995. They are 0-3 in their other games and face what I consider to be the second most dangerous team in the playoffs in the Steelers. In their first matchup in Week 4, the Steelers pounded the Chiefs 43-14, but the weather looks to be rather frightful and I would expect a lower scoring affair this time around. Steelers 20, Chiefs 16.